Gallonly
  • Fuel cost
  • MY2002

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2002

The cheapest 2002 vehicle to fuel is the Toyota RAV4 (EV) at about $1,180 a year, $2,450 less than the median vehicle ($3,630) among the 256 vehicles ranked.

The top 10 run from $1,180 to $2,250. Each model is listed once, with its best qualifying configuration named in the row; models with the same displayed value share a rank.

Lowest cost

$1,180/yr

Toyota RAV4

Median model

$3,630/yr

256 models

Top-10 median

$2,080/yr

Models ranked

256

one row per model

Full ranking

Showing the top 50 of 256 models. Every column is sortable.

Cheapest Vehicles to Fuel in 2002: top 50 of 256 models
1
Toyota RAV4
EV
Standard SUVs · Electric
$1,18078 MPGe−$2,450
2
Honda Insight
1.0 L · FWD
Two-seaters · Hybrid
$1,23053 MPG−$2,400
3
Toyota Prius
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Hybrid
$1,59041 MPG−$2,040
4
Honda Civic
HX · 1.7 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$1,92034 MPG−$1,710
5
Toyota Echo
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,04032 MPG−$1,590
6
Chevrolet Prizm
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,11031 MPG−$1,520
6
Toyota Corolla
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,11031 MPG−$1,520
8
Mitsubishi Mirage
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,18030 MPG−$1,450
9
Saturn SC
1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,380
9
Saturn SL
1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,25029 MPG−$1,380
11
Ford Focus
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,33028 MPG−$1,300
11
Hyundai Accent/Brio
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,33028 MPG−$1,300
11
Toyota Celica
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,33028 MPG−$1,300
14
Ford Explorer
USPS Electric
Standard SUVs · Electric
$2,39039 MPGe−$1,240
15
Volkswagen Jetta
Wagon · 1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
$2,42039 MPG−$1,210
15
Dodge Neon
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,42027 MPG−$1,210
15
Nissan Sentra
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,42027 MPG−$1,210
15
Suzuki Esteem
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,42027 MPG−$1,210
19
Volkswagen Beetle
New Beetle · 1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
$2,48038 MPG−$1,150
19
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
Golf · 1.9 L · FWD
Small cars · Diesel
$2,48038 MPG−$1,150
21
Acura RSX
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,120
21
Daewoo Lanos
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,120
21
Ford Escort
ZX2 · 2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,120
21
Kia Rio
1.5 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,120
21
Mitsubishi Lancer
1.6 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,120
21
Suzuki Aerio
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,51026 MPG−$1,120
27
Chevrolet Cavalier
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Honda Accord
2.3 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Hyundai Elantra
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Mazda 626
2.0 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Oldsmobile Alero
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Pontiac Grand Am
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Pontiac Sunfire
2.2 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
27
Saturn L100/200
2.2 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,61025 MPG−$1,020
35
Infiniti G20
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Kia Spectra
1.8 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Mazda Protege/Protege 5
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Mercury Cougar
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Saturn LW
200 · 2.2 L · FWD
Wagons · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Toyota Camry
Solara · 2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Toyota MR2
1.8 L · RWD
Two-seaters · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
35
Volkswagen Cabrio
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,72024 MPG−$910
43
Daewoo Nubira
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Ford Ranger
Pickup · 2.3 L · RWD
Standard pickups · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Honda CR-V
2.4 L · FWD
Standard SUVs · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Hyundai Sonata
2.4 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Hyundai Tiburon
2.0 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Mazda B Pickup
B2300 · 2.3 L · RWD
Standard pickups · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Mitsubishi Eclipse
2.4 L · FWD
Small cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790
43
Nissan Altima
2.5 L · FWD
Midsize cars · Gas
$2,84023 MPG−$790

How this list is built

Every line below is read from the list definition that produced the table.

  • Classes: every EPA class except special-purpose vehicles.
  • Powertrains: Gas, Hybrid, Plug-in hybrid, Electric, Diesel.
  • Ranked by annual fuel cost, lowest first.
  • One row per model (make and model): the configuration that ranks best in this list is shown, with its trim, engine and drive named in the row.
  • Ties are decided on the displayed value (whole MPG or miles, kWh per 100 miles to one decimal, cost rounded to $10): tied models share a rank, then are ordered by a tie-breaker and by name.
  • Special-purpose vehicles, such as heavy-duty variants, are excluded.
  • Annual cost assumes 15,000 miles a year at the EPA rating and the dated national fuel prices stamped below; it is rounded to $10 and all differences use the rounded values.
  • Plug-in hybrids are costed with the EPA utility factor: the share of driving done on electricity.
  • Model years MY2000 to MY2027; a year is listed only when at least 10 models qualify.

Data and period

  • EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026
  • Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh)
  • 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway

Frequently asked questions

Which 2002 vehicle is the cheapest to fuel?

The cheapest 2002 vehicle to fuel is the Toyota RAV4 (EV) at about $1,180 a year, $2,450 less than the median vehicle ($3,630) among the 256 vehicles ranked.

How many vehicles are ranked for 2002?

256 models qualify, one row each. The median is $3,630, and the top 10 run from $1,180 to $2,250.

How are ties, trims and drivetrains handled?

Each model appears once, with the configuration that ranks best in this list; its trim, engine and drive are named in the row. Models with the same displayed value share a rank (1, 2, 2, 4) and are then ordered by a tie-breaker and by name. See the methodology.

How is annual fuel cost calculated?

15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating and the national average price of the fuel each car uses (premium where required), electricity at the national residential price, and the EPA utility factor for plug-in hybrids. Costs are rounded to $10. See the methodology.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway